§ MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether the time has arrived for calling for tenders for the conveyance of mails between Australia and England; on what date do the present contracts expire; and whether the conditions suggested by the Brisbane Conference regarding the new contracts have been approved by him?
§ MR. A. MORLEYThe present contracts expire on 31st January, 1895. The conditions suggested by the Brisbane Conference have not been approved by me. They involve questions of importance, which I have not yet had time to consider maturely in order to reply to an inquiry from Australia as to their adoption. This must be done before tenders are invited.